It also was a reminder of how far they have fallen. Not only have they not reached the playoffs in eight seasons since 2005, they have for the last three seasons established themselves as Major League Baseball's worst team, among the worst ever.

The 2-1 loss Saturday night to the Yankees was the Astros' franchise-record 14th in a row, a franchise-record 110th loss of the season with a game remaining before it mercifully ends Sunday.

And just when Astros fans thought it couldn't get worse.

Haven't they suffered enough indignities this season through the butt slide, the strikeouts, snow cones in the bathroom stall, the Keystone Cops routine starring Jimmy Paredes and Jake Elmore, the strikeouts, the two near-no-hitters by Yu Darvish, the 17 losses in 19 games against the Rangers, the decrease in active payroll to less than $13 million, the strikeouts?

This doesn't mean there won't be a second anniversary. There are no plans for the network to cease operations.

As for what it does mean, it's too early to tell.

The Astros, Rockets and Comcast/NBC Universal are partners in the network, which is available to 40 percent of Houston's market because most major programming providers believe the asking price to carry the network is too high.

The partners have to agree unanimously to lower the price. The Astros reportedly have not agreed. NBC Universal wants to restructure so that a unanimous vote isn't required.

That would be good for the Rockets, who have less stake in the network than the Astros, don't need as much money from the deal as the Astros say they do and have a more attractive product.

At an impasse

Carriers now holding out, such as DirecTV, Dish Network, AT&T U-Verse and Suddenlink, presumably would line up to have the rights to the Rockets in time for Dwight Howard's debut.

But this legal maneuver is not good for the Astros. When Jim Crane inherited the network upon buying the team, he believed it would provide a certain amount of revenue he built into his financial model. That has not materialized.

Team sources, who don't want to be identified because they are not directly involved in negotiations, said weeks ago the Astros would not start next season without a television deal providing them access to more homes. They didn't say that deal had to involve CSN Houston.

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The Astros confirmed in a statement Friday they were seeking to free themselves from the network because it had provided them with no revenue for three months.

They don't believe they can compete in the American League West without a competitive local television deal.

That isn't true. The Astros were 10-9 this season against the Los Angeles Angels, who have a huge deal. Oakland, one of baseball's poorest teams, won the division.

But if bankruptcy proceedings linger, preventing the Astros from seeking a new broadcast partner, perhaps a former one such as Fox Sports Southwest, or if they ultimately are forced into restructuring, rebuilding could be delayed.

A nucleus, but…

They have a nucleus of everyday major league players - Jason Castro, Jose Altuve, Jonathan Villar, Matt Dominguez and maybe Chris Carter if he strikes out less. They have pitchers Jarred Cosart, Brett Oberholtzer, Jordan Lyles, Brad Peacock and maybe Lucas Harrell if he regains his 2012 form.

George Springer, who had 37 home runs and 46 stolen bases in the minor leagues, probably will be the opening-day center fielder. Strong-armed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz probably will be called up from the minors early. Mark Appel, this year's first-round draft choice, might also join the staff at some point.

But most of the rest of the talented minor leaguers - the Astros' top six affiliates reached the playoffs - need another season or two or three before arriving in Houston.

In order to significantly improve, to lose merely 85 or 90 games, the Astros need to invest in the free-agent market - for outfielders and relief pitchers, especially a closer.

They might have the money to do that even without a new television deal. They might not. They're not sharing their books.